India
Folk tales from the diverse traditions of India.
Panchatantra Stories
Ages 9-12
Four Friends Hunter
The framing tale of Book II of the Panchatantra — a mouse, a crow, a tortoise, and a deer combine their gifts to outwit a hunter. A two-thousand-year-old story about friendship across difference, complementary strengths, and the quiet machinery of survival.
Panchatantra Stories
Ages 3-5
Union Is Strength
Union Is Strength: Long ago, there lived a flock of pigeons in a dense forest. In the flock, there was an old pigeon who was very wise. All the pigeons
Panchatantra Stories
Ages 6-8
The Origin of Panchatantra Stories – A Story in History
The Origin of Panchatantra Stories – A Story in History: The Panchatantra is an ancient Indian collection of inter-related animal fables in Sanskrit verse and
Panchatantra Stories
Ages 3-5
The Rise and Fall of the Merchant
The Rise and Fall of the Merchant: In the city of Vardhaman, there lived a wealthy merchant by the name of Dantila. He was one of the most trusted advisers of
Panchatantra Stories
Ages 3-5
The Jackal and the Drum: A Panchatantra Tale
The Jackal and the Drum: A Panchatantra Tale: Once upon a time, in a forest, there lived a jackal. He was a greedy jackal and would always eat up any animal
Panchatantra Stories
Ages 3-5
The Merchant and the Bullock
A bullock left behind in the forest befriends a mighty lion - until a jealous jackal whispers lies.
Indian Folk Tales
Ages 3-5
Kupti And Imani
A Punjabi folktale from Andrew Lang's Olive Fairy Book (1907): the younger princess Imani, sent away to live with a poor fakir, builds her own fortune at the loom — and saves the king who would marry her.
Aesop's Fables
Ages 3-5
The Story of Bhasmasura
A proud demon asks Lord Shiva for a terrible boon, and only a clever dance can stop him.
Panchatantra Stories
Ages 3-5
Light Makes Prosperity
Light Makes Prosperity: There is a Tamil proverb dîpam lakshmîkaram, meaning, “light makes prosperity,” and the following story is related to explain it: The
Indian Folk Tales
Ages 3-5
Little Anklebone
Little Anklebone: Once upon a time there was a little boy who lost his parents; so he went to live with his Auntie, and she set him to herd sheep. All day long
Indian Folk Tales
Ages 9-12
Loving Laili
Loving Laili: Once there was a king called King Dantal, who had a great many rupees and soldiers and horses. He had also an only son called Prince Majnun, who
Indian Folk Tales
Ages 3-5
Mr. Bunny’s Carrot Soup
Mr. Bunny’s Carrot Soup: Once upon a time Mr. Bunny picked four carrots. I will make carrot soup, he thought. Rat asked, “May I have a carrot please?” Mr.